"I know they're using the word procedural a lot, but I would not come back to television for anything other than this," Tamblyn said. "It's amazing."

The cases include prostitution and people in hot dog suits but Tamblyn is focused on her character. "I like that she's a lot like me, in that she's a smart-ass and tough and tomboyish and fun, and still has an air of innocence and honesty about her. Not that I'm innocent and honest, because I'm not, but it's a show that's primarily about people's quirks and secrets and problems, and how those leak into cases and how the cases leak into them. It's really great. There's not one actor on it that doesn't serve a purpose and doesn't have a very concise, clear character, which is great. "

That means Tamblyn isn't the star of the show, per se. "Absolutely, it's an ensemble because they're all strong characters. There's not one that's there strictly to support another one."

The show relocated Tamblyn to New York, which has been another welcome change from her California life. "I love it. I love it a lot. Right now, I actually really love the cold. I've lived in Venice my whole life and now, suddenly, I'm really getting used to 12-degree weather."